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6 top new shows to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max and more (Aug. 18-24)
Binge-watchers, rejoice: A wave of new shows is premiering this week on Netflix, HBO Max and other streaming services as well as broadcast and cable networks.
This week’s new TV lineup is serving up everything from explosive action to gripping real-life drama. “Peacemaker” season 2 is back with more comic book chaos and apex aliens continue to threaten humanity in “Invasion” season 3.
As far as debuts, “Hostage” turns a diplomatic summit into a ticking thriller, “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” revisits a notorious true crime saga and “Long Story Short” offers a heartfelt animated journey from the creator of “BoJack Horseman.” Here are our top picks for new TV shows to watch this week.
‘Are You My First?’ (Hulu)
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This new reality dating series comes onto the scene with a unique premise: a cast of only virgins. Yep, 21 singles who’ve never had sex journey to a sun-soaked tropical paradise looking for love — and maybe their first intimate encounter.
The cast members range from marriage-minded traditionalists to late bloomers who just haven’t felt ready yet, and sets them loose on romantic dates and cheeky challenges. “Bachelor” Nation alums Colton Underwood and Kaitlyn Bristowe host the experiment, promising a judgment-free space where sparks might fly.
All 10 episodes premiere Monday, Aug. 18 at 12 a.m. ET on Hulu
‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’ (Hulu)
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This limited series dramatizes the infamous case that made a Seattle college student a global headline and a pariah. In 2007, Amanda Knox (Grace Van Patten) arrived in Italy for a dream semester abroad; weeks later, she was behind bars for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in a prosecution riddled with leaps, bias, and bad science.
The eight tense episodes chronicle Knox’s years-long fight for exoneration, the toll on her and Raffaele Sollecito (Giuseppe De Domenico) and the relentless media circus that turned a tragedy into a spectacle.
Episodes 1-2 premiere Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 12 a.m ET on Hulu
‘Hostage’ (Netflix)
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State visits are supposed to be about handshakes and photo ops, not kidnappings and blackmail. But in this political thriller series, a summit between the U.K. and France goes spectacularly off the rails when the British Prime Minister (Suranne Jones) learns her husband has been kidnapped and the French President (Julie Delpy) is threatened.
The two leaders must decide whether to team up or take each other down, all while the clock ticks. Explosions, double-crosses, backroom deals — you know, just another day in international politics.
All 5 episodes premiere Thursday, Aug. 21 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix
‘Peacemaker’ season 2 (HBO Max)
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John Cena’s foul-mouthed antihero is juggling multiverses, old grudges and some very angry foes. Season 2 finds Chris Smith stumbling into a pocket dimension that’s everything he’s ever wanted … if he can survive the fallout.
Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. is hunting him, Michael Rooker has it out for his sidekick Eagly and R-rated insanity is in full swing. This season also ties directly into Gunn’s mega-hit “Superman” movie, linking Peacemaker’s wild, interdimensional antics to the bigger DCU.
Episode 1 premieres Thursday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max
‘Invasion’ season 3 (Apple TV Plus)
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Earth’s last hope is a team-up like no other. The third season of the sprawling sci-fi thriller brings together the scattered survivors for one impossible mission: sneak aboard the alien mothership and stop the takeover.
With Golshifteh Farahani, Shamier Anderson, and fresh face Erika Alexander leading the charge, tensions run high as old friendships are tested and new alliances form. With the aliens’ motives about to be revealed, humanity hangs by a thread.
Episode 1 premieres Friday, Aug. 22 at 12 a.m. ET on Apple TV Plus
‘Long Story Short’ (Netflix)
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Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the genius behind “BoJack Horseman,” is back with another animated comedy. “Long Story Short” follows the Schwooper siblings, a Jewish family from Northern California. The twist is that the story jumps all over the place in time, showing everything from their childhood screw-ups to their adult dilemmas and everything in between.
The show blends Bob-Waksberg’s signature wit with heartfelt moments. If you loved “BoJack’s” emotional depth wrapped in sharp humor, this one’s made for you.
All 10 episodes premiere Friday, Aug. 22 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix
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